This site’s postings are about 1) writing a novel; 2) publishing/marketing said novel; and 3) book reviews that inform me about how other authors have gone about writing their work.
The creative and business worlds intersect awkwardly. This is particularly true for the literary scene. My posts don’t comprehensively look at this nexus; they do summarize my own experience with issues that many authors experience, so, hopefully, the posts will inform other writers as they make their own journeys.
To this point, I’ve written an action/adventure fantasy entitled The Lords of Oblivion (subtitled A San Francisco Fantasy) which I’ve self-published. The novel also has elements of magical realism and contemporary fantasy, but is definitely not paranormal (not that I have anything against that genre).
The posts are drawn from my experience with The Lords of Oblivion. I’ll shamelessly promote my novel on other parts of this site, but try to restrain myself in my posts on writing and marketing books – though I will refer to my own work occasionally for heuristic purposes. For now, suffice it to say that in The Lords of Oblivion there are no vampires (though the protagonist has lived 15 centuries); no werewolves either (though the protagonist keeps a real wolf for a pet); only two Druids (but they make great antagonists when they’re transplanted to the modern world); there are any number of apparitions (but only one important ghost and she haunts the protagonist’s Tesla); and the world that the protagonist attempts to save isn’t some magical kingdom, but instead modern San Francisco (which is pretty mystical in its own way).
Finally, the posts will be iterative meaning that I may revise/update them based on new experiences. Also, this site is under construction, so exercise forbearance as it evolves.
I write modern fantasy novels that are hopefully both exciting and literate. These novels include an on-going series about a near-immortal magician who grew up in Camelot and grew famous in San Francisco's 'Summer of Love'. He's still having adventures to this day described in The Lords of the Summer Season, The Lords of Powder, and The Lords of Oblivion. The books can be read in any order.
As author S Alessandro Martinez has stated about the series:
"Lords of Oblivion
A 1500-year-old wizard. A pair of savage druids raised from the dead. Modern day San Francisco. A wolf that takes no gruff. Blaisdell creates a fascinating world in this magical realism novel with smart writing, complex characters, and clever use of history and mythology. I was sucked in from the very beginning. I look forward to more of Bradan and Tintagel's mystical adventures.
Lords of Powder
Merlin's former apprentice, Bradan, is back! The 1500-year-old wizard, who is sometimes too smart for his own good, returns for another exciting adventure, this time in 70s Miami as he takes on the criminal world of drug trafficking. Blaisdell's smart, fast-paced writing and use of fascinating history and mythology keeps you on the edge of your seat as Bradan uses his wits, charm, and illusions to navigate the modern era and get himself into plenty of trouble.
Lords of the Summer Season
Being Merlin's former apprentice and living for 1500 years is bound to make you a few enemies. Travel back to the 60s with Bradan the wizard and his otherworldly wolf Tintagel. As Bradan juggles careers as a professor and musician, he must defend himself from his greatest threat yet: a literal god. Blaisdell continues with his clever, skillful, and imaginative writing that will keep readers eagerly turning the next page. My favorite of the Bradan books, Blaisdell dives deeper into the Arthur mythology, and brings the reader even more elements of magic and folklore, all the while weaving an entertaining tale of gods, wizards, ghosts, and 60s acid rock. Thoroughly enjoyable!"
Besides the literary side of my life, my background includes membership on a scientific advisory board for a non-profit professional organization promoting the biomedical and digital health business community in the greater Los Angeles area.
I’ve authored both basic research publications and business management articles focusing on the bio/pharma industry. My Ph.D. is in Biochemistry from the University of Minnesota where I also conducted post-doctoral research in microbiology. And my BS is from the University of Michigan (Ann Arbor) with a double major in chemistry and cell biology.
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Blaisdell Literary Enterprises 